Chapter Thirty

Over the Saucy Wench

When Crystal had released him from the duty of telling the others what was happening, Clark had intended to fly to the Harlot's hold as he felt almost sure that he would find a good deal of their people still there. As he had set out, however, he'd noticed that the Saucy Wench was sinking swiftly and had flown to it instead, planning to make certain that none of their people was still aboard. As he circled the sinking ship, he saw countless dead bodies falling out into the ocean below.

He was nearly certain that no one had been left alive when he thought he heard voices. Clark frowned, his brow furrowing, and his keen eyes quickly searched the ship. He could see no sign of movement, yet he could still hear the voices. As he flew closer toward where the sounds were coming from, the voices did not grow any louder nor softer.

Clark followed the angry voices until he reached a cabin that, along with the rest of the ship, had been tilted. He tried to open the door, but it would not budge. Listening beside it, he finally made out the voices. His blue eyes widened in surprise. Faith and Dawson were yelling! She was screaming at Judson while Dawson hollered at a man named Mitch. Yet their voices were the only ones Clark could hear!

Placing both hands on the door, Clark attempted to rip it off, but again, it refused to budge so much as even an inch. Then he hammered it with his fists, but still he could bring no reaction. He frowned, muttering to himself only to have the howling, chilly winds whip his words away as soon as they left his mouth.

The ship was sinking fast, and soon the cabin itself would be under water. He couldn't get the damn door to budge, and the rest of the cabin seemed equally as resistant to his strength. He tried yelling to Faith and Dawson, but neither answered him. Waves splashed against Clark's bare feet, and the young man realized that he had no other choice.

He couldn't get in to save Faith and Dawson. He wasn't even sure of the exact predicament they had fallen into, but the sounds of their screams and wails ripped at his heart. He had to free them, but as he couldn't open the cabin, there was only one thing he could do. Flying to the cabin's base, Clark closed his eyes and strained his muscles in a concentrated attempt to rip the cabin from the ship itself.

When the cabin at last broke off of the deck, Clark was surprised that Faith, Dawson, and the rest of its contents did not come spilling out. He could not see from his position that the floor had come off with not even so much as one hole in it, but he carried it carefully nonetheless to the deck of Destiny's Ghost. Sitting it securely on the deck, he again tried hammering at it, but once more, his punches were in vain.

The entire time Clark worked on the cabin, he could not forget Julian and Sarah nor the others that were needing his help. Faith and Dawson were as safe as he could get them right now. He could get Lex, and maybe Lex could figure out how to free them while he continued after their kids. With that thought in mind, Clark soared toward the sleeping quarters.


The Harlot's Hold

Mouse came to slowly, but at last, her eyes fluttered open. She blinked several times as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings and what was happening around her. At last, Ray's handsome face came into her sight. At the same time, she heard growls, roars, and yells, and the one thing that came to her dull mind was . . . "The necklace. Ray," Mouse said, gripping her lover's arm, "ya've gotta get that necklace ta Prue. We gotta make sure it gets there."

Little did Mouse know that, even as she was talking, the man who Elvira had intended the necklace for was being rechained by invisible hands. As soon as his chains were once more secure, the being moved on, breathing ice over the collars of the other three men and shattering them. He paused to consider if he should also release them from their bonds.

Ray was puzzled. He had no idea what Mouse was muttering about. "What necklace?" he asked her. He had not seen any necklace.

"The necklace . . . Ah . . . Ah must've dropped it . . . Should be . . . over where Ah . . . where Ah fell . . . "

"Don't worry. I'll get it," he told her. He leaned forward and kissed her gently. "Stay here and wait for me." He stood and looked around as best he could on the floor. Something glittered by the chained men, and he ran for it.

Who had she said to give it to? he wondered. Prue! he thought. Which one was Prue? He looked helplessly at Mouse. "WHO'S PRUE!" he yelled back at her.

Cole had been working at a feverish pace, attempting to pick the lock. He felt it giving way, and then he heard a man hollering. He wished he could answer that Prue was over there, but he couldn't.


The Saucy Wench/Destiny's Ghost

Bob had been running across the deck of the Saucy Wench, hoping for a sight of his family, when the ship seemed to explode and flipped on its side. He found himself scrambling for a purchase of anything to keep from falling completely into the ocean. He saw something dark brown heading his way, and it bumped into him, almost knocking him off the rest of the way. Not realizing what it was, he grabbed onto it just as he managed to grab part of the Captain's cabin and pull himself up on top of it.

The ship was now completely laying on its side, and Bob knew it would not be long before it sank the rest of the way. He was surprised to see what he now held in his hand was what he thought was a dead monkey. He was about to throw it overboard when he felt a small pulse. The monkey was hurt but not dead.

Bob had a very precarious hold and did not know how he would continue to hold the monkey and make it safely to the Ghost, but he refused to let go of the monkey while it was yet alive. He unbuttoned his shirt and slipped the monkey inside. Then he began to make his way, climbing across what was left of the ship. It seemed to take forever until he could reach a part where he could land on the Ghost when he jumped.

The jar of his landing made Clyde wake up. He started scrambling inside the shirt, and Bob thought he had a shirt full of nanobytes. Clyde had no idea where he was and was relieved when he finally poked his head out of the top of Bob's shirt. Clyde started chattering to Bob, trying to tell him "thank you" and to get him out of the damn shirt so that he could go find Ace. He also tried asking Bob what the white stuff was.

Bob could not understand a word of monkey but shook his head and told him to hold on and he'd get him out of his shirt. He quickly unbuttoned the shirt and sat Clyde on the deck. "Go find Ace. He's probably looking for you. I've got to find my family." Without a backward glance, Bob took off where he could see Enzo and AndrAla, working frantically in an attempt to get the ship ready for sailing. He began to help them.

Clyde set out in search of Ace.


The Harlot's Deck

Ever since Donkey had landed on the deck of the Harlot, he had been trying to keep his hooves walking. The deck was quite slippery, and he could only manage a few feet at a time before he found his back feet sliding out from under him and his rear sitting hard down upon the deck. He looked around at his butt when he stood up yet again but could see no damage. "Yeah, you gonna be bruised tomorrow," he said. "My poor butt!"

When he heard screams, he did not know who it was. Then, he heard roars. Some one was definitely being attacked! Finally, he recognized Elizabeth's mouth when he heard her screaming for Autolycus! Where was Autolycus! Could he make it to her in time!

"It's up to you, Eddie!" he told himself. "You have to reach her!" He glanced downward at his slipping hooves. "Hooves, don't fail me now!" He stepped heavily and carefully down each time he took a step and finally began to make more progress in her direction.


Judson's Cabin

Faith had waited, kneeling in the floor of the cabin, trying to keep her naked, bleeding body from trembling and focusing her final gaze on Dawson's corpse, for her last breath to come. She had felt the cold metal of her own sword touch her neck, but it had stayed there, lingering in the same exact spot as everything became deathly quiet.

Finally, Faith looked up through her tears. "Well?" she demanded. "What are you waiting for?" But Judson didn't answer her. He only continued to stand there, neither moving nor breathing and with the sword still pressed against her neck.

Faith sighed; the last thing she wanted before she died was yet another of the Satanic Priest's games. "Just do it already!" she snapped.


The Harlot's Hold

Suddenly, the door to the hold, which had somehow become closed again in all the chaos, was blown open. Thunder raged outside, shaking the ship, and the rammings became even more furious as the sharks, dolphins, and one whale continued trying to bust through the floor of the cell. The group who flew into the hold was a sight for many sore eyes.

Ororo flew above the others, her long, white hair streaming out all around her dark face. Emotions flickered over her tight face, but still she refused to give in to any of them. Jack and Will were side by side, and each hair on the tabby cat who had again found his perch on Jack's shoulder was sticking out. Shadowcat was directly behind the men and already dropping from the air.

A scream built in Ororo's throat, but she fought it down. She had known it would be bad, but she had not expected to find this. Her panicked eyes fell immediately upon Logan, who seemed to be absolutely covered by blood. Her blue eyes grew even larger at the blood on his hands, and she knew instinctively that his claws were gone.

Kitty could not believe the sight that she was met with and prayed that her father was not dead. In all her years of Pirating, she'd never seen any man in worse shape than the four chained to the wall. Tears welled in her eyes, but she fought them down, her hands balling into tight fists. She had already lost her mother this night. She would not also lose her father!

Will froze, staring at the scene before him, in horror. He had never seen any one in worse shape, and his heart cried out for Jack. He had prayed that he would not be too late for Jack, and he had not been. What he had not thought of was that Jack might feel that he might as well be dead if they could not make it to his father and brother in time, and though Wolverine's eyes were open and Brendan was howling as his transformation began, Will was not sure that they were in time.

Could Brendan's transformation save him? Even if it could, would Jack be able to cope with the loss of his father, whose eyes seemed so lifeless and body seemed so bloody that Will could not help thinking that he was already gone? Will looked to Jack, watching the impact on his lover's face and his own brown eyes shining with his concern, sympathy, and sorrow.


Destiny's Ghost's Hold

The jaguars exchanged a glance in the dark before growling to their mistress. The Werejaguar did not bother to glance back at her pets but instead continued on to the Weretiger who was struggling against her chains and spitting like the cornered animal she was. "It'll be fine, darlings," the Werejaguar dismissed the four-legged jaguars' worries. "Let Mother have her fill; then we'll leave. You two can deal with your own problems in the meantime. I'd suggest perhaps having a piece of the tiger, but I wouldn't insult you like that, my dears."

The entire time she had been speaking, the Werejaguar had continued to approach the other Werecat, whose chains refused to budge. The two Werecats' gazes were locked with one another, and their green eyes glowed in the dark with a hungry ferocity. The Werejaguar came to a stop before the Weretiger, and she raised her hand to cup the other female's furry cheek.

The Weretiger growled at the other's touch, but her body arched forward, burning in its desperate need. Her hormones overpowered her brain and all her warning systems, and she did not have the first clue of the danger she was in as the Werejaguar's hand quickly ran down her body. As the Werejaguar's hand slipped behind the Weretiger to cup one of her striped buns, the male tiger who was chained next to the Weretiger began to stir. Neither female noticed as his eyes opened, and Vang struggled to make sense of his blurred vision and the pain in his groin.

The Werejaguar's hand tightened on the Weretiger's rear, and she snatched her forward from the wall. Her other hand lifted, and a claw extended to the furry spread between the Weretiger's legs. She ran her claw over the Weretiger's wetness, then licked the sticky substance from her claw. With a growl of pleasure, she reached again for the Weretiger. This time, her claw extended into the other Were's vagina, bringing a yowl mixed with pleasure and pain.

It was then that Vang's senses returned to him more fully. The full moon pulled at him, as well, but his father instincts proved to be stronger as his concern for Zora set him to growling. He struggled against his chains but could not break free. His protest went ignored by both Weretiger and Werejaguar, but the other jaguars took notice of him. The two females broke apart from their interaction and leapt on him instead, quickly silencing his growls underneath a flurry of claws . . .


Judson's Cabin

Dawson stayed his hand just as he had been about to stab his father. Was he dreaming, or had he truly heard Faith's voice screaming that she loved him! Everything had suddenly become deathly quiet. He could hear nothing. Mitch had not moved.

Dawson shook his head, trying to clear his mind, but still everything was still. Mitch seemed to be just hovering and waiting for him to drive home the blade, but he couldn't do it yet because he felt that when he did, it would kill him as well. He had to return his own feelings to Faith even if she was only a ghost who was lingering nearby, waiting for him.

"I LOVE YOU TOO, FAITH!" he screamed. "I WILL BE WITH YOU SOON! I'M COMING!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he felt as though he was ripped apart by an explosion. The world turned upside down, and Dawson felt as though he was falling through time and space. He shook his head, once again trying to clear his vision, and jumped backwards. His body had not actually moved, but Mitch's had! He was no longer there! Faith was, kneeling where Mitch had kneeled only seconds before!

"What kind of game is this!" he asked angrily. "Where did you go, Mitch, and why did you leave Faith's ghost in your place! You know I won't hurt her! I love her!" He knelt down in front of Faith, lifted her face, and kissed her, the knife in his hand forgotten. If he only had this one chance to kiss her ghost, he would take it! He could not imagine eternity without her! He knew it was a place he did not want to go.


Beneath Destiny's Ghost's Deck

They had been almost to the deck when Spike's ears picked up something. Something was coming toward them, and growling was going on behind them. They stopped to consider if they should go back. Then, before they could do anything, they heard a sudden, sharp yowl. "Damn!" Spike muttered. "The Weres must be awake and getting at it!"

"Something else is going on!" Connor told him. "I'm going back! Zora's in trouble!" His words were punctuated by a series of growls and roars coming from Vang.

Spike looked at the two women. "Continue on up. I'm going back with Connor." They began to run, hoping to make the cell in time.

"But, Spike -- " Dawn had barely gotten the first words of her protest out when Spike and Connor vanished into the darkness. "Damn!" she muttered, stomping her foot on the deck. She looked at Fred, who was as pale and trembling as though she'd seen a ghost, as she considered going after Spike. She knew he'd be upset with her if she followed him instead of taking Fred to safety, however, so she began to lead the way to above deck.


The Harlot's Hold

Logan's eyes flashed open at the sound of thunder. He had felt something touch him that was icy cold, and his collar had snapped. Realization dawned upon him that now his powers should be returning. He felt like he had been through Hell and could barely move, but then he felt his healing factor kick in. Seconds later, he saw 'Ro fly in with Jack in toe.

"We will be safe soon," he whispered to Brendan, not realizing that his frantically struggling son was being drawn under the power of the full moon. "Our collars have been removed. Our powers are returning."

The minute Jareth felt his collar shatter, he struggled at his bindings, wanting to be free, but he had no strength, not in his human form. He concentrated for some time before finally managing to morph into his owl form. Knowing that Cole was working on the cell door and his wife would soon be safe, Jareth turned his attention to their captor. His beady eyes sought out his arch-enemy, and upon spying Helvira, he flew straight for her face, clawing and tearing for her eyes.

Wolf stirred as soon as Jareth broke free, realizing that he, too, was free of his collar. Using his muscles, he strained at his bindings even as he changed into his wolf form. He howled, hoping that his mate would answer him. Where was Elvira in all of this Hellishness!


The Harlot's Deck

It had taken Donkey some time to follow the screams, but at last he saw a Piratess attacking Elizabeth. "GET OFF OF HER, YOU BITCH!" he yelled. "I'M COMING, ELIZABETH!" he promised and tried to triple his efforts only to find his hooves slipping. "Don't you dare!" he moaned downward. "My bum's sore enough!"

Elizabeth had been lost to the world around her and had succumbed to the Piratess' vicious attack. The bitch's claws seemed to be everywhere at once, and her yowls filled Elizabeth's ears until another voice reached through to her fogged brain. She was surprised to hear Donkey calling to her, but as Catra started to look up with a hiss in his direction, Elizabeth knew what the animal was trying to do. He'd get the Piratess off of her, but at what cost? She knew he could never handle her, no more than she herself could!

"Be off with you, you stupid, filthy beast!" Catra hissed, her green eyes glowing in the dark and flakes of Elizabeth's blood shining on her face.

"YOU BE OFF WITH YOUR OWN SELF, BITCH! I'M GONNA BE THERE IN A MINUTE, AND I'M GONNA KICK YOUR SORRY ASS! YES, I AM!" Eddie retaliated.

He had no clue as to where Autolycus was, but it didn't matter. He hoped and prayed for some one who could use a sword better than Toly could! Some one had better be hearing this and coming to their rescue, because once he got a hold of that bitch, he didn't dare let her go or she'd be the death of him and Elizabeth both! He knew he wasn't a match for her, but he had to try!

Elizabeth had been trying to speak, but she couldn't get her words out for her own blood running into her mouth. In desperation, she spit that blood at the Piratess. Catra turned with a hiss and slashed her claws across the blonde's face yet again.

"BITCH, I TOLD YOU TO GET OFF OF HER!" Eddie called as he got even closer. He began to try to figure out how he could turn around and kick the bitch without falling down. He was bracing himself for the biggest fight of his life and whispering, "You can do it! Will will be so proud! You can do it!"

He was having a hard time keeping his knees from knocking together. He would have to be the brave champion as there did not seem to be any one else around. He would rescue Elizabeth and earn Will's undying gratitude!

Elizabeth was still trying to call out but could not manage to speak even one word. She had to tell Donkey to get away from there. If she died at this bitch's hands, at least it would only be one life gone . . . Besides, if Donkey ran for help, maybe he could find Autolycus or Angel or even Will or Jack!


Judson's Cabin

Faith had remained kneeling in wait for Judson to finish his attack when she had heard Dawson screaming that he loved her. Her head had swung back, but she had barely glimpsed Dawson's corpse when a bright light had exploded around everything. She had felt as though her insides were turning inside out as everything had spun.

When the light had disappeared and everything had settled, she'd looked back to where Dawson's corpse had been. She frowned, seeing that her sword was once more sticking into something that was not Dawson's corpse but rather a black, oily spot on the floor and realizing that she no longer felt the blade at her neck. Her head swung back to look up at where Judson had been, and she froze, her heart not daring to beat as she found herself gazing up at Dawson.

Faith's lips parted to whisper his name, but the word froze on her tongue as he reached out to her and gently lifted her face. As his lips touched hers, her mouth eagerly and instinctively returned his kiss. Her hands reached up, cupping his face, and she cried as she prayed to any God or Goddess that might have given enough of a damn to listen that Dawson was truly alive before her and that this last nightmare had just been one final thing that Judson had done to her. Her fingertips ran over Dawson's skin, trying to reassure herself that he was real and that she was not imagining this.

Dawson kissed Faith as though his very life depended on it, because in truth, it did. "Faith?" he finally broke off and whispered. "If this is your ghost, take me with you," he pleaded.

"Dawson," she breathed his name, tears running down her face as her fingers ran through his blonde hair and over his trembling skin, "tell me this is real. I'm not a ghost. At least, I don't think I am. But if I am, at least we're together. I love you!"

His hands gently ran down her body. "You feel real to me," he told her, "but after what has just happened to us, I wasn't sure. I was about to kill Mitch when I heard you screaming my name and that you loved me. I stopped and told you I loved you. That's when the nightmare stopped. Mitch disappeared. I felt as though I was falling through time and space, and then, oh glorious miracle, I fell into you!"

Her hands continued running over him, checking every spot that she could reach; she would not have let go of him at that time for anything in the universe. "I . . . I don't know. Judson's a shapeshifter, but I saw him, not Mitch, not you. You were dead, and I couldn't fight Judson. I didn't stand a chance in Hell, and I didn't want to -- not without you."

"I was waiting for him to kill me when I screamed to you one last time. I knew you were dead, but I just couldn't help myself and hoped at least your spirit could hear me. He had my sword at my neck, but the blow never finished. And then I heard you answer me and it was like everything turned upside down, inside out. He disappeared."

"The sword went back over there, like it was when it had been sticking in your body. And you came back." Her movements and voice were shaky, and her tears of relief and gratitude that Dawson apparently still lived would not stop falling, though she took no notice of them. Her body trembled against his. Her hands continued to touch him, still trying desperately to convince her that he was real and not a mirage of some sort.

"You turned from my father into yourself. In mere seconds, I would have truly killed you if you had not screamed! I thought I already had, and I had no desire to live without you!" Dawson pulled Faith to him and gently began pledging his love to her with his lips.


Beneath Destiny's Ghost's Deck

As the sounds coming from the hold had grown louder and more savage, Dawn and Fred had broken into a run. Dawn worried about Spike but dared not head back. Fred did not consider disobeying the blonde man's command for a single second, but her legs were wobbly and she found it difficult to keep her balance. As the two women sped around another corner in the corridors, Fred bumped into something and felt her balance go . . .

A pair of white hands shot out, gently but securely grabbing the woman's thin shoulders. "Hang on there, sweet thing," a redhead spoke to her. "Where's the fire?"

Fred's eyes widened, as did Dawn's, and the two stared at the strangers before them. "Ah -- Ah -- Ah -- Ah -- Ah -- "

Rachel smiled and winked at Sam. "I always did love a woman with an accent."

Sam barely knew what to say. He just grinned back at Rachel. "Think you can handle the two of them? I'll take this one on down to the holding cell."

"Yeah. I've got them," Ray assured the man. Then noticing that the brunette girl was hurriedly glancing around for something, Rachel asked her, "What are you looking for?"

Dawn didn't answer, but she also could not find what she was seeking in the darkness. There was absolutely nothing to use for a weapon, and this blasted Piratess had Fred! There was only one thing she could do. "SPIKE!" she hollered at the top of her lungs.


The Harlot's Hold

Before Jack could react past the shock of seeing his father and brother chained to the wall, Jareth had broken free, turning into an owl. He had barely managed to duck before Jareth had sailed over. He knew he was searching for Helvira and only hoped that he got the right one when he attacked her.

He raced forward to his father, staying well out of the reach of Brendan's slashing claws. Brendan was now in full wolf form, and Jack did not have his cane. He wondered just when the cane had come up missing. When was the last time it was used? When was the last time he had seen it? He didn't know.

With his sword, Jack hacked his father's chains off and caught his father as he slumped forward. "Just a few more minutes, son," Logan whispered, his voice raspy and hoarse, "an' I'll be able to help. The ol' healin' factor's kicked in. How's yer mother holdin' up?"

"Despite all the troubles, Dad, she's been doing fine. She's one Hell of a woman and a Hell of a fighter, as well."

"I know," Wolverine said with a smile. "Too damn good fer me. I'm just the lucky man who has her. Not too sure what to do with yer brother right now." Wolverine's eyes looked back at Brendan, whose human mind seemed to have been completely overtaken by the wolf.

"Let's do the fighting; then we'll come back for him," Jack told him. "My cane's missing. I wouldn't want to have to put him down as he so adamantly insists that I do when he gets out of control. I LOVE YOU, YOU BIG LUG," he yelled up at his brother, "EVEN IF YOU ARE A DAMN WOLF!"

Will had followed Jack the moment his beloved had set into a run toward his father, but he hung back, letting the two have their time and wondering how he could best help in their current situation. As Jack and Wolverine talked about Brendan, Will's nervous eyes watched the Werewolf fighting against his chains, and he felt a chill sweep through him. He knew Jack loved his brother and that that love blinded him to the truth, but Will knew that it wasn't safe to be around Brendan's beast. Still, what could he do? Brendan was Jack's brother, regardless of whether he was wolf or man, and they had to save him . . . somehow!


Frolicking Monkey's Deck

After the meeting, Ace had made his way over to the Frolicking Monkey and had been busily talking to his animals. They were terrified. They knew something was coming. Some of them turned away from Ace in terror, swimming, flying, and doing whatever else they could to run away. He tried desperately to call them back, but they continued to flee.

Soon, there was only a handful left on the deck, looking at him, scared to death, but standing, ready to do whatever he told them to do. They owed their very lives to him as he had rescued them in the past. He tried to keep a brave front on, but with Kat down and not knowing when she would return to them and Clyde missing in action, Ace was not sure which way to turn.

"I don't know what this night holds for us," he spoke to them truthfully. "We might not all make it safely away from here. If you want to leave, leave now, but you're in the middle of the ocean and I think it's a fool-hardy endeavor for those of you who can not swim or fly. None of you can make it to the shore."

It was at that moment that he heard loud screeching and was attacked from the back. He did not attack back; he recognized his attacker to be Clyde scrambling for a perch on his shoulder. "Welcome back, Clyde," he told Clyde in his own language.

His heart was heavy-laiden. He did not want to lose any animals. They were all his friends and family, but he knew he could not leave without the others who were trapped on the other ship. "Get our ship ready for departure. We will do our best to out-run him. I'm going to check on Kat and relieve Bishop. We'll be moving out soon," he promised them. He only hoped it would be in time. He started walking toward the cabin that he and Kat shared.


Captain Kathleen "Kat" O'Hara's Cabin

The cabin had been silent for a while, the only interruptions coming from the occasional hiss or grunt from an animal and Bishop's chair squeaking when he moved. Bishop and Chong were still staring at each other, and though the snake had moved on some time ago, a fact that Chong was thankful for, Chong still dared not take his eyes from the big, black man who gripped an even bigger gun. In turn, Bishop dared not take his gaze from Chong for he did not trust the Chinese man even as he far as he could splatter his guts across the cabin wall if he should have need to shoot him.

The old, tabby cat who remained perched on top of Kat's chest knew well what the two-legged men were thinking, but they did not concern him. As long as neither made any move to hurt his mistress, they were unimportant. His torn ear flicked as he heard the snake hiss again, and he shared the reptile's concern. What had happened to their beloved Kat, and how would she be when she finally came to again?

The tabby tensed as he felt the Irish woman moving beneath him. It appeared that neither he nor his companions would have to wait much longer for the answer to the foremost questions on all their minds. He leaned forward, his green eyes peering anxiously at his beloved mistress' face, and he could sense the other animals also tensing.

"What the bloody Hell!" Kat spat, awakening only to find herself chained. "Get these damn t'ings off o' me! Bishop, I knae ye're in here! I can sense ye! Now get these damn t'ings off o' me 'fore'n I gi'e ye some hot balls!" Her emerald eyes flashed as she struggled against her bonds.

"Now, Captain Kat, I didn't have much choice. I had to chain you. You were out of your mind, trying to kill everybody around you. I was very careful with you. All I did was chain you to the bed, and if you're in your right mind, I'd be more than happy to unchain you."

Bishop glanced balefully at Kat. He knew she'd be just the one to give him some hot balls, and he didn't need them right now. "Don't move," he told the Chinese man even as he glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.

Kathleen remembered nothing of what Bishop spoke, and when he commanded that she not move, she thought at first how dare he speak to her that way and then wondered if he were talking to her alone or if he might have also chained Ace while she'd been out. How could she have been so wrong about one man, so wrong that she'd even entrusted a feline to him! Fury burned within her. "If ye want me dead," she exclaimed heatedly, "ye'd better shoot me now, ye bastard, 'cause these blasted things will nae hold me fer long!"

Captain knew that Kat was about to burn the chains in order to free herself, but he arched as he stood on top of her chest. He then began to purr, his deep rumbling filling the room and informing Kat that Bishop was right and that he had been the one to bring out the chains for him. At his words, Kat ceased her fire and listened.


The Harlot's Hold

The room was filled with the stinky scent of brimstone as Kurt, with Lockheed perched on his shoulder, bamfed into the room. With his sword in hand, he moved in to do what he could to free the others.

Kitty had had trouble dealing with her shock when a dark cloud of familiar brimstone had blocked her vision. She coughed and waved it away, though Ororo didn't seem to notice the stench or that their sight of the others had been blocked. As soon as the dark cloud began to thin, Kitty broke into a run, racing around Kurt to where Jack and Wolverine were.

"Coo coo!" Lockheed called to Kitty, then swept through the air after his mistress, who refused to slow.

As soon as she reached Wolverine, Jack, and Will, Kitty blurted out the fearful question that burned in her heart. "How is he?"

"Ask me yerself, little girl," her father told her. "Come here an' give yer ol' man a hug."

Jack moved out of the way so that Kitty could get close to Wolverine. He stood up, looking around to see where he could be of most use. Spotting Cole, he raced over to assist his friend with his bonds. Will followed Jack but stayed on Jack's other side, his eyes darting constantly between Jack's skillful hands as he worked on Cole's bonds and their surroundings should some new attack come.

Kitty paid no attention to the tear that fell from her eyes but threw her arms around Wolverine. "Thank God," she whispered.

Wolverine returned her hug, squeezing her gently. "Yer a sight fer sore eyes, girl. I'm proud o' ya. Are you okay?" he asked her tenderly. He could tell she was extremely upset and didn't think it was just over him. He felt his strength beginning to return and got slowly to his feet, pulling her up with him.

"Met Mom again," Kitty answered him, her teary eyes darting around the cell. "Got closer. She's . . . " She cleared her throat. " . . . gone."

"Never was one fer hangin' around," he told her. "Ya see where ya got yer looks from, huh? Wan't from yer ol' man. Hope ya got some o' yer fightin' skill from both o' us. She always was slippery."

Kitty didn't bother to correct him. She didn't want to think about what had happened, not now, not in the midst of chaos, and especially not with Frostbite coming ever closer. A piercing howl erupted from next to them, and Kitty's eyes darted up at Brendan's wolf even as Lockheed cooed again. Saliva dripped from the beast's jaws, splattering down toward them, and still he strained at his chains. Shadowcat noticed that they were breaking and wished for anything silver.


Destiny's Ghost's Hold

Rounding the last corner of the hallway, Connor stopped dead in his tracks as he saw a Werejaguar attacking Zora in a manner he did not understand. "GET OFF OF HER!" he yelled.

Spike was already on it. He yanked open the door, raced toward the battle, grabbed the Werejaguar from behind, and threw her away from Zora. It was only then that they noticed Vang was also under attack, but before they could do anything, the jaguars had left Vang and were now racing for Spike, who barely made it back out of the cell, throwing the door shut with a heavy clang. His mind raced. What the Hell could he do to get Zora and Vang out of there without increasing the danger that Connor and himself were in!

Connor was thinking the same thing, but he could not tear his wide eyes away from Zora, who he had never seen in the condition she now was in. She was wilder than anything he'd ever seen before, her fur standing straight out and her fangs gnashing at the air as strangled yowls and roars came from her. "Spike, what's wrong with her!" he fearfully asked.

"Connor, she's in a full attack of passion," Spike phrased it as gently as he could for the boy, "but she's also been hurt. I'm not sure exactly what that Werejaguar had in mind." He knew what the beast had been attempting with Zora, but what he was unsure of was what would have happened afterward. He knew the most likely result of their tryst, though.

Spike looked where the Werejaguar had fallen after having hit her head on the cell. "We don't have much time before she is back on her feet again," he told Connor. "I don't think you can handle either one of them, and if I open that door, those jaguars are going to be on me. I can't take all three at once."

It was then that another voice was heard, and Dawn's wail rattled Spike's nerves even further. "DAMN!" Spike muttered. "Why can't that bit get on up to the deck and quit yelling for me! Maybe Kyna was right . . . "

Connor looked at him. "Why would she be yelling now? Do you think they might be under attack?"

"They might be," Spike replied, "but I don't sense anything like that. DAMN IT!" he thundered as Dawn yelled for him a second time. "It's not like I can go and leave this situation either," he muttered, running a hand through his short, blonde hair in frustration. "Damn! Damn! Damn!" he repeated as Dawn continued screaming his name.

"I'm not leaving!" Connor told him. "She's just going to have to handle it on her own!"

To Be Continued . . .